Gibson City man convicted of 2nd-degree murder

A Ford County jury took just a little over two-hours Thursday to convict a Gibson City man of second-degree murder and aggravated battery in the death of another man he punched last year in Gibson City.

The jury of seven men and five women reached a guilty verdict after the two-day trial for 34-year-old Ryan Nibbe. Nibbe was accused in the death of 44-year-old Timothy Robertson.

Nibbe testified, admitting punched Robertson twice during an incident July 28 at an apartment in Gibson City. A second punch caused Robertson to fall on the sidewalk, fracturing his skull, according to police reports.Robertson died on Aug. 5, 2013, at Carle Foundation Hospital, Urbana.

Nibbe was acquitted of one count of aggravated battery pertaining to the incident inside the apartment.The maximum sentence for second-degree murder is 20 years. The aggravated battery charge carries a maximum of 10 years.